Most people have at least considered buying a Persian or Oriental rug at some point in their lives. The majesty and decorative flair inherent in these masterworks is undeniable. The mistake some people make is buying a rug that is not native to the region. If you think there is no difference between a faux-oriental rug made in a factory in Southern California and a true Hamadan rug, you've never experienced the two side by side. The difference is as startling as it is stark.

A Little History
Before you think about buying a Hamadan rug it helps to know a bit about the history behind these luxurious pieces of art. First things first. Hamadan rugs get their name from their city of origin. Hamadan, Iran is host to one of the most sizable and culturally entrenched weaving populations in the world. It isn't just one row of rug weavers in the town square. It's hundreds of villages, each of which adds its own style and twist on the basic pattern. From this melting pot of creativity, we've been lucky enough to see thousands of styles and types come out, each of which is just a little bit different from the others. Major types include Bibikabad Kabutarhang, Tuyserkan, Dergazine, and Nahavand.

Color and Pattern
Once you know a bit about rug design, you'll never mistake a true Hamadan rug for its cheap knockoffs. What's especially interesting is that the vast majority of these rugs make use of a very limited color palette. Primary colors are liberally used in the designs, but the backgrounds almost always consist of basic colors like red, white, brown, or blue. Most of these rugs are created to reflect a geometric pattern of some kind. Browse through any collection of true Hamadan rugs, and you're likely to find multiple diamond medallion designs, encompassing herati patterns, and blooming floral tapestries. Of course, with thousands of styles coming from hundreds of villages, you don't have to look too far to find a real one-of-a-kind rug.

Unparalleled Quality
If you lay out your money for a true Hamadan or Persian rug, you want to know you're getting durable quality for the price. That's exactly what you can expect to get. Ask any carpet expert and they will tell you that simply by virtue of being made in Iran, you've got a rug that will last for years, if not generations. High-quality, authentic Hamadan rugs impart a sense of cultural exploration and luxury that is hard to find in any other home decoration. If you want to imbue your home with a little piece of art from the cradle of civilization, you could hardly make a better choice.